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Local singers vie for contest spot

Jessica Galey, 14, of Thibodaux, sings Saturday as sister Sophia, 11, plays guitar at auditions for the CenterStage Singing Competition at Southland Mall in Houma. Sophia played and sang a solo song and then provided accompaniment for Jessica’s audition.

Last Modified: Saturday, July 20, 2013 at 11:20 p.m.

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The hopefuls aimed to land one of 20 spots in Houma's 2013 CenterStage Singing Competition at 5 p.m. Aug. 24 at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center.

Winners were to be individually notified today.

CenterStage organizer Ann Duplantis said she started the competition years ago to give something back to the community. Proceeds benefit CASA of Terrebonne, a nonprofit that trains volunteers to help abused and neglected children navigate the court system.

Duplantis said the competition serves as a stepping stone for local singers wanting to advance their careers.

“It has been a help in aiding stage fright and has helped contestants feel more self-confident to where they feel like they can conquer the world,” she said.

Gonzalez is scheduled to sign autographs beginning at 3 p.m. on the day of the final.

Jules Tulliea, 59, of Thibodaux, auditioned because “it's just something you do when you get to be my age.”

Tulliea sang in rock bands when he was a teen, but said he quit when the real world came calling.

After raising a family, Tulliea re-entered the music scene through karaoke bars before he teamed up with a friend to produce a gospel CD.

“It's not run of the mill ‘I love Jesus' stuff, it's deeper than that. Thought-provoking stuff,” he said.

Tulliea said he was apprehensive about auditioning, but not as much as he was when he was a teenager.

“I have confidence in what I'm doing,” he said. “My voice is not at its best, but it's good enough to do the song I want to do.”

Tulliea and other contestants had a number taped to their chest and performed behind closed doors for a panel of judges. Performers were given one to two minutes to sing a song of their choice and were rated on vocal ability, stage presence, creativity and overall impression.

Tulliea performed “I will endure,” a song from his CD.

Contestants were encouraged to bring instruments to play with their songs and one of those that obliged was 13-year old Hannah Jane Guidry of Cut Off who brought her guitar.

“My mom had (my brother and I) in piano lessons since we were 5 and I liked the piano, but I always wanted to learn how to play the guitar. I finally got lessons, and I just fell in love with it,” she said.

Guidry, who competed in the show a year ago, performed “Desperado” by the Eagles.

She has been singing since before she can remember and has competed in other talent shows, like the Farm Bureau Talent Contest and south Lafourche's Park Idol.

Guidry said she wasn't nervous about auditioning.

“You have to have confidence to perform,” she said.

Emily Huddleston, 12, of Houma, is also auditioning for a second time. She sang “I See the Light,” from the movie “Tangled.”

Huddleston said she was a little nervous, but she's performed enough to where she's used to it.

“I have a habit of getting nervous, but not that much because I do a lot of competitions,” she said.

Huddleston is on a patriotic streak as of late, performing the national anthem at rodeos and events held at the Government Tower and Civic Center.

Huddleston said she plans to continue singing to help people learn more about Jesus because she credits God for her talent.

“If I won I would probably thank God for helping me along the way and say thank you for the wonderful blessing that he gave me with this talent,” she said. “Then I'd celebrate.”

Some contestants came to compete and others came purely out of love for song.

Houma native, Becky Babin, 17, is one who auditioned because she loves to sing.

“Any competition with singing, I'm going to be in it,” she said.

Babin, who is in the choir at H.L. Bourgeois High School in Gray, said she is “a little nervous” and registered early so she didn't have to wait long for her turn in front of the judges.

“If I win, I would probably pass out,” she said.

The competition, originally titled “Hometown Stars,” ended its first run in 2007, Duplantis said she worked with the mall to develop a bigger venue, production and format the show to her liking. Now the auditions are held at the mall, but the final is held at the Civic center.

At the competition, singers will perform in front of a live audience of more than 700.

Winners will get to record a two-song CD with Infinite Studios, will be booked to perform at local events and get other prizes.

Staff Write Jacob Batte can be reached at 448-7635 or jacob.batte@dailycomet.com

<p>More than 100 local singers flocked to Southland Mall on Saturday to audition for the local version of “American Idol.”</p><p>The hopefuls aimed to land one of 20 spots in Houma's 2013 CenterStage Singing Competition at 5 p.m. Aug. 24 at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center.</p><p>Winners were to be individually notified today.</p><p>CenterStage organizer Ann Duplantis said she started the competition years ago to give something back to the community. Proceeds benefit CASA of Terrebonne, a nonprofit that trains volunteers to help abused and neglected children navigate the court system.</p><p>Duplantis said the competition serves as a stepping stone for local singers wanting to advance their careers. </p><p>“It has been a help in aiding stage fright and has helped contestants feel more self-confident to where they feel like they can conquer the world,” she said. </p><p>Two former contestants mad their way to the national stage.</p><p>Karen Gonzalez, a 2011 finalist played Bologna Barb in last year's movie “Pitch Perfect,” and J'Leigh Chauvin, the 2012 winner, advanced to Hollywood Week on “American Idol.”</p><p>Gonzalez is scheduled to sign autographs beginning at 3 p.m. on the day of the final. </p><p>Jules Tulliea, 59, of Thibodaux, auditioned because “it's just something you do when you get to be my age.” </p><p>Tulliea sang in rock bands when he was a teen, but said he quit when the real world came calling. </p><p>After raising a family, Tulliea re-entered the music scene through karaoke bars before he teamed up with a friend to produce a gospel CD. </p><p>“It's not run of the mill 'I love Jesus' stuff, it's deeper than that. Thought-provoking stuff,” he said. </p><p>Tulliea said he was apprehensive about auditioning, but not as much as he was when he was a teenager. </p><p>“I have confidence in what I'm doing,” he said. “My voice is not at its best, but it's good enough to do the song I want to do.” </p><p>Tulliea and other contestants had a number taped to their chest and performed behind closed doors for a panel of judges. Performers were given one to two minutes to sing a song of their choice and were rated on vocal ability, stage presence, creativity and overall impression. </p><p>Tulliea performed “I will endure,” a song from his CD.</p><p>Contestants were encouraged to bring instruments to play with their songs and one of those that obliged was 13-year old Hannah Jane Guidry of Cut Off who brought her guitar. </p><p>“My mom had (my brother and I) in piano lessons since we were 5 and I liked the piano, but I always wanted to learn how to play the guitar. I finally got lessons, and I just fell in love with it,” she said. </p><p>Guidry, who competed in the show a year ago, performed “Desperado” by the Eagles. </p><p>She has been singing since before she can remember and has competed in other talent shows, like the Farm Bureau Talent Contest and south Lafourche's Park Idol. </p><p>Guidry said she wasn't nervous about auditioning. </p><p>“You have to have confidence to perform,” she said. </p><p>Emily Huddleston, 12, of Houma, is also auditioning for a second time. She sang “I See the Light,” from the movie “Tangled.” </p><p>Huddleston said she was a little nervous, but she's performed enough to where she's used to it. </p><p>“I have a habit of getting nervous, but not that much because I do a lot of competitions,” she said. </p><p>Huddleston is on a patriotic streak as of late, performing the national anthem at rodeos and events held at the Government Tower and Civic Center.</p><p>Huddleston said she plans to continue singing to help people learn more about Jesus because she credits God for her talent. </p><p>“If I won I would probably thank God for helping me along the way and say thank you for the wonderful blessing that he gave me with this talent,” she said. “Then I'd celebrate.” </p><p>Some contestants came to compete and others came purely out of love for song. </p><p>Houma native, Becky Babin, 17, is one who auditioned because she loves to sing. </p><p>“Any competition with singing, I'm going to be in it,” she said.</p><p>Babin, who is in the choir at H.L. Bourgeois High School in Gray, said she is “a little nervous” and registered early so she didn't have to wait long for her turn in front of the judges. </p><p>“If I win, I would probably pass out,” she said. </p><p>The competition, originally titled “Hometown Stars,” ended its first run in 2007, Duplantis said she worked with the mall to develop a bigger venue, production and format the show to her liking. Now the auditions are held at the mall, but the final is held at the Civic center. </p><p>At the competition, singers will perform in front of a live audience of more than 700. </p><p>Winners will get to record a two-song CD with Infinite Studios, will be booked to perform at local events and get other prizes.</p><p>Staff Write Jacob Batte can be reached at 448-7635 or jacob.batte@dailycomet.com</p>